GateHouse News Service New England Budget  June 26, 2007

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service.

cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com

Contact: Chris Biondi, (508) 626-4343, cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com

Note: We should know in next day or two whether service is launching Monday or not. In the meantime, I will post what I receive via e-mail onto the site.
Some items available at: www.gatehousenewsservice.com

News

NO RING, NO INSURANCE - In a decision that could affect the rights of both gay and straight unmarried couples, a federal judge has ruled that a Quincy man wasn't entitled to health insurance coverage for his live-in girlfriend.
Patriot Ledger, Reinfereinert ,15 inches

CROOKED CONTRACTOR - A Norton couple (we wrote about previously) who fought National Lumber Co.'s right to place a lien on their home for materials not paid for by a bad contractor won their case in Southeast Housing Court. This is a rare victory for a homeowner against National Lumber and it is going to have a significant effect on other homeowners and businesses who
have similar liens because of unpaid bills from contractors.
Enterprise, Vicki, 15-18 inches, probably coming in late

MORE AIDS - Drug and public health experts predict a spike in HIV/AIDS cases due to needle sharing among the current boom of heroin/OxyContin addicts.
Enterprise, Maureen Boyle, 13 inches, with box, 3 p.m. filing

FAMILY UNHAPPY WITH SENTENCE - Former Swansea volunteer fireman Wayne Smith sentenced to serve 5 to 7 years in drunken driving death of Swansea police officer Robert Cabral; family extremely unhappy with the sentence.
Herald News, Pateakos, 20 inches, 9 p.m.
Photos: Court, family of victim, Smith by Omar Bradley

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION - Coverage of Board of Education meeting in Waltham, with likely focus on statewide push for curriculum to get students better prepared for college or work.
MetroWest, Hilliard, 15 inches, 6 p.m.

HOMELAND SECURITY - Numerous area fire, police and health officials tour the first of three regional Homeland Security equipment caches, this one in Beverly, and take home some radios or other gear. Officials expected from Natick, Hudson, Weston, Waltham, Holliston, Sudbury, Wayland, Ashland and others.
MetroWest, Parietti, 15 inches, 6 p.m.
Photos: of event

SCHOOL RESIDENCY - As Marlborough's school super pushes for tougher proof of residency by parents, do other districts have such rules and are there many cases in which people illegally send their kids to a ``better school'' or program in a neighboring town, claiming they live there?
MetroWest, Moore, 15 inches, 6 p.m.

SURPLUS STATE LAND - Hearing on Beacon Hill on several bills that would determine how state disposes of surplus land.
MetroWest, Moore, 15 inches, 6 p.m.

Business

PLIMOTH PLANTATION - The Wampanoags are front and center at Plimoth Plantation these days. You walk through their village before getting to the Puritan settlement. The Plantation's executive director, John McDonagh, explains what's going on in a Q&A. executive
Patriot Ledger, Alysa Landry, 14 inches. Ready now.
Photos: of McDonagh at the Plantation

Opinions

GRANLUND CARTOON – ON MITT ROMNEY AIDE CONTROVERSY

EDITORIAL - Revenue options for cities and towns: As each year's municipal budget exercise makes more clear, the ever-increasing reliance on property taxes to provide services for Massachusetts cities and towns demands major surgery. Gov. Deval Patrick instead proposed a set of Band-aids, and even those have faced tough sledding in the state Legislature.
MetroWest Daily News, on wire service now

Sports

NUMBER 5 -- NBA draft advance featuring some of the great No. 5 picks over the years.
Patriot Ledger, Mike Fine, 14 inches.
Photos: File pics

Lifestyles

BEER NUT: COOKING WITH BEER: Chicago beer writer Bob Skilnik wanted to chronicle recipes using beer in the United States, and in doing so, presents a fascinating history of beer in the country from colonial times to the present in his latest book - ``Beer & Food: An American
History.''
MetroWest, Miller, 15 inches, 6 p.m.
Photos: Of book